Duke also received five goals each from Myles Jones and Jordan Wolf while Christian Walsh dished out a career-high six assists. The 10 total points for Class fell one shy of the school single-game record of 11 set on nine previous occasions, most recently by both Ned Crotty and Max Quinzani against Sacred Heart in 2010. The midfield line of Class, Jones and Walsh finished with 23 points overall on the day, while Walsh’s six assists were the most since Crotty had six against Johns Hopkins in 2010.

“Just working hard all week in practice and trying pick spots, good fundamental shooting,” said Class about what was working for him on his outside shots. “I just stepped in with confidence and shot it and I know Myles did the same. Confidence and keep working to get better every day is our team focus.”

The Blue Devils (8-2, 2-1 ACC) pushed their winning streak to four games and have now defeated Syracuse four consecutive times. The 21 goals mark Duke’s highest offensive output in ACC action since a 22-tally performance against N.C. State on March 1, 1973.

Playing its first season as a member of the ACC, the Orange (4-3, 0-3 ACC) dropped its third league contest in as many outings.

Duke faceoff specialist Brendan Fowler enjoyed the afternoon by winning a season-high 24-of-31 draws and securing a career-high 18 ground balls. Against the Orange in the 2013 NCAA championship game last May, Fowler won 20-of-28 faceoffs while totaling 14 ground balls en route to earning Most Outstanding Player honors as Duke won the national title.

Syracuse claimed a 2-1 lead less than four minutes into the game with goals by Derek DeJoe and Nicky Galasso, but the Blue Devils responded with 10 straight goals over a span of just 12:23 to take an 11-2 advantage on a marker by Class at the 12:18 mark of the second quarter. Class had all six of his goals in the first half as Duke built a 13-4 cushion at intermission.

“[The looks] were a product of great ball movement,” Class said. “Guys like Christian Walsh and one mores and in our zone offense we’d try to draw two and move it move it move it. I was just on the receiving end of a lot of them so my success was a product of my teammates moving the ball.”

Defensively Duke’s defense was outstanding in holding the Orange scoreless for 19:19 and to just one goal on four man-up chances. On the other end of the field, the Blue Devils scored four times on six extra man opportunities.

Syracuse was led offensively by Randy Staats, who logged two goals and one assist.

“Your fear is don’t let this game be the peak of a season,” said head coach John Danowski. “Allow this game to show you the possibilities if you practice well, prepare well and play right. We don’t want this game to define us. We need to learn from this and we need to grow and get better and be very critical of ourselves at this point.”